When you think about where you want to live as you grow older, what comes to mind? If you’re like most adults, you probably imagine staying in your own home. In fact, 3 out of 4 adults ages 50 and older report they want to stay in their homes and communities as they age, according to a recent AARP survey. And for good reason. “Aging in place,” or safely growing older in your own home rather than in an assisted living facility, has many benefits that contribute to the overall quality of life. To name a few, aging at home:

• Is often more cost-effective than an assisted living facility
• Allows you to keep social connections
• Provides the comfort of familiar places and service providers
• Enables you to live in a place filled with a lifetime of memories 

Research also shows that those who continue to live independently have less physical and mental decline when compared to adults living in an assisted living facility. 

In order to successfully age in place, the National Aging in Place Council strongly recommends some planning. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” While no plan is set in stone—financial and health circumstances can change—making preparations now can set you up for success. Later, be sure to reassess your plan as your needs change. 

Six steps to creating a plan

As you develop your plan, consider these key areas:            

1. Analyze your finances. What are your monthly home costs, and can you continue to afford them after retirement? You might decide that you need to downsize. How much will it cost for any home renovations or modifications in order to comfortably and safely move around your home? (See below.) When considering expenses, account for medical and health insurance costs. Can you afford to hire a professional in-home caregiver if need be? Consider involving family or a trusted advisor to help you evaluate your financial needs. 
2. Assess your home. How do you want your home to be set up as you age? Do you need to make any modifications? Some common modifications older adults make to their homes include rearranging the home so the master bedroom is on the main level, adding grab bars to the bathroom, and installing non-slip flooring to prevent falls. 
3. Evaluate your health care needs. Your health care needs will change as you age. Talk with your doctor about any chronic health conditions you have and discuss what you can do to ensure you are able to age in place. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise is an investment in your future. 
4. Research your transportation options. Even if you are able to drive now, look into transportation options in case you are not able to drive in the future. Does your community offer public transportation, are taxis available, or do you have access to ride services like Lyft? Do you have family or friends who can drive you when needed? 
5. Make a plan for care. There may come a time when you need part-time caregiver assistance. Do you have family who can help with this? Would you prefer hiring a professional caregiver? Now is the time to have these conversations with your family. Let them know your preferences for the future and discuss their ability to help with your care. 
6. Embrace technology. When it comes to living independently, technology is your friend. Smartphones, smart home assistants, telemedicine, wearable monitors, and other technological innovations can make independent living easier, safer and more comfortable. Take the time to become familiar with what’s available. 

For more information

The National Aging in Place Council has created a template and short questionnaire to help you create your own plan for aging in place.

Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home, National Institute on Aging.

The post Create a Plan for Aging in Place appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Calhoun.

Early research from Destination Analysts expects holiday travel for Americans to decline from last year’s 53 percent to only 28 percent. As the holidays are often the only time that families get to visit aging relatives and notice behavioral changes, this decline in travel rates signals that extra measures need to be taken to make sure our loved ones are safe. 

Benevolent probing is a simple way for adult children to assess their loved ones’ needs from a distance. This tactic combines careful observation and considerate conversation to gauge a loved one’s health and wellness in a respectful, non-threatening way. It is common for the aged population to strongly guard their independence and feel threatened and afraid when topics arise that risk the lifestyle they are used to and comfortable living. 

Benevolent probing is a way to minimize the feeling of threat for your loved ones and make it possible for adult children to accurately assess how their parents are doing. 

Benevolent Probing Areas for Discussion

Activities of Daily Living
Without in-person visits, you may feel that you miss out on opportunities to assess your loved one’s ability to care for themselves or perform daily tasks like personal hygiene, house cleaning, cooking/eating, and taking medication. From a distance, you can use video calls to help assess how they are doing without sounding like you are prying. 

• Gauge your loved one’s personal hygiene on the call. Are they struggling with shaving, weight, dressing, bathing, etc.?
• Ask for a house tour to see decorations. (Through the tour, you can easily watch for signs of declining health in the form of clutter, hoarding, lack of traditional decorations/cleaning behaviors, etc.)
• Prescription medications can be checked if it can be worked into the conversation. If health is brought up and you can get them to show you their prescription bottles, you can bring into the conversation of dosages, how the prescriptions make them feel, expiration dates on the bottles, etc. 

Memory
Memory loss is easier to gauge on phone calls and video calls. Be aware of signs of memory loss by asking simple questions. What did they do last weekend? When was the last time they spoke to another family member? Signals of memory loss can include short and simple answers to your questions like “Uh-huh,” “Yeah,” and “Hmmm,” or them repeating themselves.

Mobility
Even on phone calls, you can assess your loved one’s mobility. But video calls can achieve more in this area. Pay attention to cues of difficulty in mobility. Does your loved one talk about bruises, tripping, falling, or getting injured in other ways? Do they mention struggling with walking? Do they make elaborate sounds while moving that indicate pain or difficulty? Do they mention dings/scratches on the car or car accidents? If you are on a video call, pay attention to their movements and balance. 

Social Engagement
If your once social and perky loved one suddenly seems uninterested in social activities, this could indicate depression, which raises concerns about their overall health. Depression can impact cognitive function and daily living activities, which are very important to the overall health and wellness of seniors. Ask questions about social activities. Many social activities are canceled due to COVID-19, so offer alternatives to in-person activities. Online church groups or social hangouts are great alternatives. Virtually any type of class is available online and you can even take live tours and shopping experiences of places around the world. Perhaps your loved one just needs a ride or a companion to participate in an activity.

If you notice anything concerning, write it down, discuss with siblings and take some time to think about how to approach the situation. Don’t react right away. The holidays are a time to enjoy and you may need time to make a plan. 

Remember that there are amazing resources for senior care that allow your loved ones to remain independent while still receiving care, support, and companionship. SYNERGY HomeCare is committed to providing the support and resources that seniors need, plus extra care around the holidays. We strongly encourage adult children to use benevolent probing as a tool of care this holiday season and to lay some worries to rest – or to help create a plan for your loved one that will meet their individual needs. 

The post What is Benevolent Probing and how will it help my aging parents? appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Calhoun.